Keeping Your Game Safe: A Comprehensive Guide to Updating Vanguard for Valorant
Hey there, Valorant warriors! Ever tried to jump into a clutch round, only to be hit with an error message about Vanguard needing an update? It's a classic gamer frustration, right? Riot Vanguard, Valorant's robust anti-cheat system, is absolutely essential for a fair and competitive experience. It runs deep within your system to prevent cheaters from ruining the fun. Because of its integral role, keeping it updated is crucial.
But what happens when it doesn't update automatically, or you run into a pesky error? Don't worry, you're not alone! This lengthy guide will walk you through everything you need to know about updating Vanguard for Valorant, step-by-step, to get you back in the game and dominating the competition.
Step 1: Let's Start with the Basics – The Easiest Fix!
Before we dive into more complex solutions, let's try the simplest and most common fix. You'd be surprised how often this works!
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| How To Update Vanguard For Valorant |
Sub-heading: A Quick Restart Can Do Wonders
Close Valorant and the Riot Client: Make sure both are completely shut down. Check your system tray (the small icons near your clock) to ensure no Riot Vanguard icon is present. If it is, right-click and select "Exit" or "Close."
Restart Your Computer: Yes, it sounds clich�, but a full system restart often resolves minor glitches and allows Vanguard to initialize correctly. This is usually the first thing Riot Support will ask you to do!
Launch Valorant Again: After your computer restarts, open the Riot Client and try launching Valorant. The game client is usually designed to automatically check for and install any necessary Vanguard updates upon launch if it detects an outdated or missing version.
If this simple restart does the trick, congratulations! You're good to go. If not, don't fret; we've got more strategies coming your way.
Step 2: Ensuring Your System is Ready – The Foundation
Vanguard relies heavily on a healthy operating system and up-to-date drivers. Think of it like building a house – you need a strong foundation before you can add the fancy furniture.
Sub-heading: Update Your Windows Operating System
Riot Vanguard, especially newer versions, often requires your Windows operating system to be up-to-date. Outdated Windows versions can lead to compatibility issues.
Open Windows Settings: Press the
Windows key + Ito open the Settings menu.Navigate to "Update & Security" (Windows 10) or "Windows Update" (Windows 11): Click on this option.
Check for Updates: Click the "Check for updates" button.
Download and Install Any Available Updates: Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install any pending updates.
Restart Your PC: After installing updates, a restart is almost always required. Do this before attempting to launch Valorant again.
QuickTip: Ask yourself what the author is trying to say.
Sub-heading: Verify System Requirements and BIOS Settings
Certain Vanguard updates (like VAN 9004) might demand specific system configurations, especially concerning Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 on Windows 11.
Check Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 Status:
Press
Windows key + R, typemsinfo32, and press Enter.In the System Information window, look for "BIOS Mode" (should be UEFI) and "Secure Boot State" (should be On).
Also, search for "Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0" and ensure it's enabled.
If these are not enabled, you'll need to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings to enable them. The process varies by motherboard manufacturer (common keys are F2, F10, F12, Del during boot-up). Be cautious when changing BIOS settings, as incorrect modifications can affect your system's stability. Refer to your motherboard's manual for specific instructions.
Update Your Drivers (Especially Graphics and Chipset): While less directly tied to Vanguard, outdated drivers can cause general system instability that might indirectly affect anti-cheat functionality. Use your graphics card manufacturer's software (NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon Software) or visit your PC manufacturer's website for driver updates.
Step 3: The Reinstallation Route – When Things Get Stubborn
If the simpler methods haven't worked, a fresh reinstallation of Vanguard is often the most effective solution. This ensures you have a clean, uncorrupted version.
Sub-heading: Manually Uninstalling Riot Vanguard
Riot Vanguard can sometimes become corrupted or stuck in a state that prevents updates. A clean uninstall and reinstall can fix this.
Close all Riot Games applications: Ensure Valorant and the Riot Client are fully closed.
Open "Apps & features" (Windows 10) or "Installed apps" (Windows 11):
Right-click the Start button and select "Apps and Features" or "Installed apps."
Find "Riot Vanguard" and Uninstall:
Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find "Riot Vanguard."
Click on it, then select "Uninstall." Follow any prompts.
You might be asked "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" – click "Yes."
Verify Removal (Optional but Recommended):
After uninstallation, check your system tray again for the Riot Vanguard icon. It should be gone.
You can also navigate to
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguardand delete the folder if it still exists.
Sub-heading: Triggering an Automatic Reinstallation
Once Vanguard is uninstalled, simply launching Valorant should prompt its reinstallation.
Launch the Riot Client and Valorant: Open the Riot Client as usual. When you try to launch Valorant, the game should detect that Vanguard is missing and automatically initiate its download and installation.
Follow On-Screen Prompts: You'll likely see a message indicating that Vanguard needs to be installed. Click "Install" or "Update" and wait for the process to complete.
Reboot Your System (Crucial!): After Vanguard finishes installing, you will definitely be prompted to restart your computer. This step is non-negotiable for Vanguard to integrate properly with your system.
Step 4: Troubleshooting Advanced Issues – When All Else Fails
Sometimes, deeper conflicts or specific settings can prevent Vanguard from updating or running.
Sub-heading: Disable Antivirus/Firewall (Temporarily)
Tip: Bookmark this post to revisit later.
Aggressive antivirus software or firewall settings can sometimes mistakenly flag Vanguard as a threat and block its operations or updates.
Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus/Firewall: Locate your antivirus software in the system tray, right-click, and look for options to temporarily disable it or its firewall. Only do this for a short period while you try to update/launch Valorant.
Add Exceptions: If disabling it solves the problem, you'll need to add exceptions for Valorant and Riot Vanguard in your antivirus/firewall settings. The executables are typically located in
C:\Riot Games\VALORANTandC:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard.
Sub-heading: Repair Valorant Game Files
Corrupted Valorant game files can sometimes cause issues that manifest as Vanguard problems. The Riot Client has a built-in repair tool.
Open the Riot Games Client.
Go to Settings: Click on your profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Settings."
Select Valorant: In the settings menu, find and click on Valorant.
Click "Repair": This will initiate a scan and repair process for your Valorant game files.
Restart Your PC: Once the repair is complete, restart your computer and try launching Valorant again.
Sub-heading: Run as Administrator
Ensuring both the Riot Client and Valorant (and by extension, Vanguard) have administrative privileges can sometimes resolve permissions-related issues.
Right-click on the Valorant shortcut or executable (e.g., from your desktop or Start menu).
Select "Run as administrator."
You can also set it to always run as administrator by:
Right-clicking the shortcut, selecting "Properties."
Going to the "Compatibility" tab.
Checking "Run this program as an administrator."
Click "Apply" and "OK."
Step 5: When to Contact Support – The Last Resort
If you've meticulously followed all the steps above and are still encountering issues with Vanguard updating or launching, it's time to reach out to the experts.
Sub-heading: Gathering Information for Riot Support
When you contact Riot Games Player Support, providing them with as much detail as possible will help them diagnose and resolve your issue quickly.
Error Codes: Note down any specific error codes (e.g., VAN 9001, VAN -1, VAN 45) you see. These are incredibly helpful.
Steps You've Taken: List all the troubleshooting steps you've already tried from this guide.
System Information: Provide your operating system version (Windows 10/11, build number), CPU, GPU, and RAM.
Screenshots/Videos: If possible, include screenshots of error messages or a short video of the issue occurring.
You can submit a ticket to Riot Games Player Support via their official website. They have dedicated teams to help with these kinds of technical problems.
10 Related FAQ Questions
QuickTip: Pause when something clicks.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Valorant and Vanguard updates:
How to check my current Vanguard version?
You generally don't need to manually check the Vanguard version. It updates automatically with Valorant patches. If there's an issue, Valorant will usually tell you Vanguard is outdated or not running.
How to know if Vanguard needs an update?
Valorant will notify you if Vanguard is outdated or requires a restart to apply an update. You'll often see a message in the Riot Client or when attempting to launch the game.
How to fix "Vanguard not initialized" error?
This error often means Vanguard didn't start correctly. Try restarting your PC, running Valorant as administrator, temporarily disabling your antivirus, or performing a clean reinstallation of Vanguard (as detailed in Step 3).
How to enable Secure Boot for Valorant/Vanguard?
Secure Boot is enabled in your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. Restart your PC and press the designated key (F2, F10, F12, or Del are common) to enter BIOS. Navigate to the "Boot" or "Security" section to find and enable Secure Boot.
How to enable TPM 2.0 for Valorant/Vanguard?
TPM 2.0 is also enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings. Similar to Secure Boot, access your BIOS during startup and look for a "Security" or "Advanced" section where you can enable TPM or fTPM (for AMD systems).
QuickTip: A short pause boosts comprehension.
How to repair Valorant game files?
Open the Riot Games Client, click your profile icon (top right), go to "Settings," select "Valorant," and then click the "Repair" button.
How to manually uninstall Riot Vanguard?
Go to "Apps & features" (Windows 10) or "Installed apps" (Windows 11) in your Windows settings, find "Riot Vanguard," and click "Uninstall."
How to prevent Vanguard from conflicting with my antivirus?
Temporarily disable your antivirus, launch Valorant to see if it works. If it does, add Valorant and Riot Vanguard's installation folders (C:\Riot Games\VALORANT and C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard) to your antivirus's exclusion list.
How to fix "This build of Vanguard is out of compliance" error?
This usually indicates a compatibility issue. Ensure your Windows is fully updated, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are enabled (if on Windows 11), and try repairing Valorant game files or reinstalling Vanguard.
How to contact Riot Games Support for Vanguard issues?
Visit the official Riot Games Support website (
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